Alarm or signal for boilers



Jupg 23, E931. F. J. MILDENBERGER 1,811,800

ALARM 0R SIGNAL FOR BOILERS Filed Dec. 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l W|TNESSES I NVENTOR H j E J fllilc enberyer mfm ATTOR NEY June 23, 1931. F. J. MILDENBERGER ALARM on SIGNAL FOR BOILERS Filed Dec. 28, 192"! 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR F J milden Zer qer WITNESS ES H mm ATTORNEY Patented June 23, 1931 PATENT OFFICE,

FREDERICK-J; MILnEnniineEn, or rnssarc, nE-w JERS Y,

A ARM on SIGNAL FOB. BOILERS- Application filed-December 28, 1927; Serial No. 242,936.

I hisinvention relates to analarm or signaling apparatus which while not necessarily limitedto such use, is particularlydesigned forgiving av warning signal whenvthe pres- I sure in a steam'boiler drops below that which it is desired. to maintain for indicating the necessity of refueling the boiler furnace.

Primarily the invention comprehends an improved alarm or signaling. device for householduselwhich is operable in conneotlon with a diaphragm pressure valve andby v1rtue ofl whichadrop in the pressure closes acircuit includingan alarm or signaling element.

The invention further comprehends in connection with a device of the character set forth, which includes a bell or other s1m1lar audible alarm or signaling element, means for manually breaking the circuit after the signal or warning is received, together with means for automatically re-establishing the circuit at the manually broken point when the alarm is again rendered inactive.

Other objects of the invention reside in the comparative simplicity of the signaling apf paratus, the economy with which the same may be produced and installed and the general efficiency derived therefrom.

With the above recited and other objects 1n "fi view, reference isv had to the following description and accompanying drawings 1n which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the appended claims define the actual scope of the inven- 35; tion. 2

In the drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the apparatus in normal conditlon prior to the drop or decrease in the pressure de-- Q; sired;

Fig. 2 is asimilar view illustrating the position of the parts when the pressure 1s dropped, the alarm has been given and the circuit has been manually broken;

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the position of parts immediately following the automatic re-establishment of the circuit at the manually broken point when the pressure has increased;

1 Fig. 4 is a detail sectional View taken approximately on-the line 4-4; of Fig. 1. illustratingthe adjustablestop.

Referringto the drawings by characters of reference, the apparatusincludes a suitable base ;upon whichis mounted on a suitable fulcrum 11, an arm12 whichlis connectedbyv a circuit wire 13 to one pole ofa batteryor other source of electrical energy 1i, from the opposite pole of whichbattery or sourceof supply a circuit wire 15"- extends to branch wires 16yand L7; theformer leading through a bellor signaling-device l8wand' thence to a stationary contact 19,'and' the latter leading through the windings of an electromagnet ,20,-thence. to a contact) element121; which is disposediin the path of; movement of the terminal 22 of the arm 12., "A movable'contact element 23 normally engaged by a spring 24 withlthe contact elementr19, is connectedby a. circuit wire 25-to a contact element 26;also

minal 22 of the arm 12 and spaced=from the 7, contact element 21. The contactelements21 and 26 are} mountech upon: the base .10. The opposite terminal 27 of, the arm 12 is;providedwith arrinsulated extremityi 28, while said terminal 27 is normally moved; by a spring-or equivalent means 29. against an: abutmentor stop elementSO, having. aslotted-z base 31 attachedby a set screw: 32v tothebase 10 for relativeadjustments wit-hrespect to the armterminal 27. The electromagnet 20 isprovided with; a pivoted armature 33 ghavingi a. latch terminal 3i positioned with respect to the movable contact 23 in such .a manner that; said-movable, Contact may be manually engaged therewith to hold: thev circuit in an open condition at this point. 4

I11 its'principal use in connection with a. steam boiler, the insulated extremity 28 is engaged to raise thearmextremity27against the action of the spring29by the pivoted arm A of a diaphragm pressure valve B; It thus follows that when the pressure drops} the weight C atthe oppositeend' of'the: arm A causes saidoppositeend-to engage under the insulated extremity 28:0f the arm terminal 27, causing the extremity 22 of the arm 12 to engage with the; contact 26. With the m'ov able contact element-23in itsnormal: engage ment with the stationary contact 19, it is obvious that the circuit is closed to the signaling device 18, causing the sounding of the alarm or warning signal while the pressure has dropped.

In order to shut off the alarm While the pressure is being raised, the movable contact element 23 is engaged behind the latching terminal 34 of the armature 33 to open the circuit. In order to automatically reestablish the circuit at this point when the terminal 22 is moved from the contact 26 to its normal position, the terminal 22 of the arm 12 moving over the contact 21, establishes the circuit from the battery or source of supply 14 through the wire 15 and Wire 17 to the electromagnet, thence through the contact 21, arm 12 and circuit wire 13, so that the electromagnet is energized. This raises the armature 33, releases the movable contact element 23, and permits the spring 24: to reengage the contact 23 with the stationary contact 19.

In order to render the apparatus inactive as, for instance, is essential at night when the fires are banked and the pressure is dropped, a switch is arranged in the circuit wire 13 for opening the circuit at this point. The adjustable stop 30 is provided to compensate for variations in the throw of the arm A or for different uses to which the device may be put.

From the foregoing it will thus be seen that an alarm or signaling apparatus has been designed, which is effective and foolproof, and which performs its function in an efficient manner.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. A device for signaling the reduction of pressure in a steam boiler equipped with a pressure responsive element, said device including a signal, means operable by said pressure responsive element upon a predetermined pressure reduction for actuating said signal, a member manually movable to render the signal inactive, a detent for retaining said member in an inactive position and means automatically operable by a predetermined increase in pressure above said predetermined reduction for releasing said detent to permit of a subsequent functioning of said member to actuate the signal.

2. In a device for signaling a predetermined pressure reduction in a steam boiler, a normally open electric circuit including a signal, a switch arm operable in response to a predetermined pressure reduction for closing said circuit to energize the signal, a second switch arm normally moved to the circuit closing position and manually movable to open said circuit for deenergizing the signal when the circuit is closed by said first arm, a detent engaging with said second arm for retaining the same in a circuit breaking condition and means automatically operable by a predetermined increase in pressure exceeding said predetermined pressure reduction for causing said detent to release said second arm for normal movement thereof to a circuit closing condition.

3. The combination with a steam boiler having a pressure responsive element, of an apparatus for signaling a predetermined pressure reduction comprising an electric signaling circuit including a signal and means operable by said pressure responsive element upon a predetermined pressure reduction to close the circuit for energizing the signal, means for manually opening the circuit independent of the first means to discontinue the signal, means for retaining said manual circuit opening means in circuit opening condition and means operable by said first mentioned means in response to movement of said element by a pressure increase exceeding said predetermined reduction for reestablishing said circuit by said independent circuit opening means.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 27th day of December A. D. 1927.

FREDERICK J. MILDENBERGER. 

